Information on choosing to work in Australia

Working Holiday visa holders are permitted to do any kind of work while in Australia, for up to six months with each employer. The following information may be of some assistance to you.

Finding employment

There are various ways to find work in Australia including the employment pages in newspapers, the Internet and job placement service providers (charges for this service may apply).

Superannuation

You are entitled to access your retirement savings (superannuation) when you leave Australia. The Australian Taxation Office website provides more information on accessing this money.
See: Australian Taxation Office

Registration or licensing

If you intend to work in your occupation in Australia, you should be aware that registration or licensing may be required. This applies particularly to the health professions and the construction sector. You should contact the relevant assessing body to ascertain if you need to obtain registration or licensing in Australia.

Certain occupations may require workers to undertake health and character checks as well as registration, such as jobs that involve working with children.

Jobs on a construction site require occupational safety training. For further information contact the relevant state or territory safety authority.
See:
Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI)
National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
Trades Recognition Australia
Western Australia Department of Commerce> WorkSafe > Safety tips for new and young workers

Specified work

For more information on specified work in the horticultural industry and harvest jobs, see the Australian JobSearch website or, once in Australia, by telephone.
Telephone: 1800 062 332
See: Harvest Trail - Overview

To be eligible for a second Working Holiday visa, applicants must complete at least three months of specified work in regional Australia. For a list of postcodes classified as regional Australia.
See: Regional Australia Postcode List

Employer obligations

People working in Australia on a Working Holiday visa are entitled to the same pay and work conditions as Australian residents and citizens. There are a number of obligations that employers in Australia must be willing and able to meet.

Employers must:

• ensure that the employee is paid the salary specified for the nominated position
• deduct and make tax payments for the employee while employed by the business
• make superannuation contributions for the employee while employed by the business
• comply with all relevant workplace relations laws and any employee workplace agreements
• ensure that the employee holds any license, registration or membership that is mandatory for the performance of their work
• comply with responsibilities under Australian immigration laws
• not employ a person who would be breaking Australian immigration laws by being employed.

Note: The employer must be lawfully operating a business that is actually and actively engaged in business activities.
Example: A business that exists on paper only (for example, a shelf company) is not acceptable.

Working conditions

Australian law sets pay rates and conditions of employment which cannot be undercut through informal agreements or unregistered contracts. If you have concerns about your pay and conditions, you can contact Fair Work Online or the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
See:
Fair Work Online
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)